April 24, 2011

Day Two: US Youth National League final weekend

The US Youth Soccer National League Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 Boys and Girls completed their second match of the weekend today at Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 19.

No division titles were determined on Saturday, meaning half of the league championships, six of 12, will be decided on the final day of the season. Besides an automatic ticket to the 2011 US Youth Soccer National Championships, teams are also vying for a top-2 finish to ensure their return in the 2011-12 National League season.

The US Youth Soccer National League also provides opportunities for players to showcase their talents as over 200 collegiate programs are present this weekend to scout the top teams and players in the country, citing the competitive level of each game as every team has to earn their spot in the competition, regardless of hometown or club affiliation.

“We definitely want to finish high enough this year to make sure we’re invited to play in the National League again next year at Under-16, which is obviously a big recruiting year for the guys. We have big expectations, a lot of the guys want to play college soccer and the National League gets them that exposure to college coaches, especially at Under-16 and again at Under-17,” said Michigan Jaguars U-15 Boys coach Barry Scott.

“We just won our Washington State Championship and will be going to the Regional Championships in Boise. The games in our own state have been easier and almost less competitive because we’ve played in the Far West Regional League and National League. Everybody is so good in these competitions that when we go play in our own state, even though there are good teams, we’re just much more competent and confident and the individual players grow because of the challenges they meet in these games,” said Eastside FC 94 Red Boys coach Dan Strom.

Under-15 Girls
AFC 96 Elite (GA) and Match Fit Chelsea Beat (NJ) are fighting for the second spot in the 2011 National Championships for the Under-15 Girls and Match Fit grabbed the advantage heading into the final day of the season. AFC could have wrapped up their spot and moved into position to win the league title, but Match Fit took control with a 2-0 win. Alexis DellaPietro put Match Fit in front just before halftime and Jessica Vigna gave them a two goal cushion in the 47th minute. Match Fit can solidify their spot at Nationals with a tie or better tomorrow, but AFC can still sneak in with a victory and a Match Fit loss. SAC United Premier (MD) is in the driver seat for the league championship as they hold a five goal edge in goal differential, the first tiebreaker if Match Fit wins tomorrow to pull even in points.

Under-16 Girls Blue
It’s make or break time in the Under-16 Girls Blue as So Cal Blues Draluck (CA-S) only need to win their last match to claim the group after defeating Patriots FC 95 (NY-E) 2-0. Isabella Hernandez got So Cal going with a goal in the 12th minute and Taylor Alderete grabbed another in the 53rd. A victory tomorrow will bring So Cal level with Dallas Texans 95 Red (N-TX), but the teams are even in goal differential so a win would give the tiebreaker to So Cal. However, anything less than a win would mean the Texans take the group. The two teams tied in their meeting last December.

Under-15 Boys Blue
The Under-15 Boys Blue division will come down to the final day, with Olney Rangers (MD) finding new hope despite having finished their season last month. Scottsdale 96 Blackhawks (AZ) knew they needed a win versus CUP Crew Juniors Gold (OH-S) and they delivered with a 3rd minute goal from Samuel Gleadle to earn the 1-0 victory. However, the Blackhawks now find themselves without an opportunity to win the league even with a victory tomorrow. FC Dallas Premier (N-TX) could only manage draw in their game, meaning even with a win tomorrow, the Blackhawks would be even with Rangers on points but lose the head-to-head tiebreaker.

FC Dallas’ perfect record was broken today after their 0-0 tie with Penn Fusion 95 (E-PA). FC Dallas will still win the division if they defeat the Blackhawks tomorrow, but anything less will mean Rangers claim the automatic spot in the National Championships. Blackhawks were hoping for an FC Dallas victory today so if they were to win tomorrow they would be in good position with tiebreakers in a three-way tie, but will now look to prevent FC Dallas from claiming the title.

Under-15 Boys Red
Classics Eagles Red (OH-S)will play the Michigan Jaguars tomorrow for the league championship after pulling out a 1-1 tie with SDFC 09 Gauchos (NJ). Gauchos put the heat on Classics, going into halftime with a 1-0 lead after Troy Carrington’s 16th minute goal. With the wind at their back the second half, Classics had chances to pull back in and found the equalizer in the 60th thanks to Josh McErlean. Classics could have taken the league lead with a win, but can still take the title with a victory in their final game of the season.

The Michigan Jaguars held onto a one point lead atop the division with a 0-0 tie versus Charlotte SA Predator (NC) and Classics’ draw. Jaguars also ended Charlotte’s hopes as they needed two wins on the last two days, plus some help, to take over first place. With the one point lead, Jaguars will be league champions with a tie or better against Classics tomorrow.

Under-16 Boys Blue
US Youth Soccer Far West Regional League foes Albion White (CA-S) and Eastside FC 94 Red (WA) will play tomorrow for the league title. Albion will clinch the championship against Eastside with at least a tie after defeating Sockers Cup (IL) 2-0 today. Ariel Lassiter scored his seventh and eighth goals of the season, five better than the next highest scorer, in the 29th and 32nd minutes to deliver the win. Albion are trying to repeat as National League champions to get back the National Championships, where last year they lost to the Baltimore Bays Chelsea (MD) in overtime of the championship game.

Eastside FC 94 Red (WA) took care of business with a 1-0 defeat of Minnesota Thunder Academy 95 (MN) to give themselves a shot at first place if they can take down Albion tomorrow. Jordan Morris notched the winner in the 23rd and it held to set up Eastside’s clash with Albion.